According to figures released on Friday by the Statistics and Census Service, the composite consumer price index (CPI) recorded a modest increase compared with the same period last year, indicating a slight rise in the overall cost of living for residents. On a month-on-month basis, the CPI rose by 0.11%.
The year-on-year increase was mainly driven by higher prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, as well as housing and fuels. These two components were the primary contributors to inflation during the month.
Among major spending categories, prices for recreation, sport and culture, along with miscellaneous goods and services, recorded the most notable annual increases. Within the food category, higher prices for fruit, vegetables and fresh fish, together with rising costs for dining out and takeaway meals, pushed the food price index higher on a monthly basis. Prices for clothing and footwear also increased compared with October.
In contrast, prices for information and communication services and clothing and footwear declined on a year-on-year basis. On a monthly basis, prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as recreation, sport and culture, registered a decrease.
Looking at a longer timeframe, the average composite CPI for the 12 months ending in November rose by 0.29% compared with the previous corresponding period. For the first 11 months of the year, the average index increased by 0.30% year on year, reflecting generally subdued inflation pressures in the city.
